Monday, 30 April 2018

Harare lawyer Francis Chirimuuta has been found guilty of looting
over $146 000 from the estate of the late fellow lawyer George Charles
Chikumbirike.

Chirimuuta was convicted by the Law Society of Zimbabwe after the
council’s seating on January 22 following a complaint filed by lawyer
Charles Nyika.
He was accused of paying himself curatorship fees before paying
the employees terminal benefits from money raised after liquidating the
estate. Further to that he even reportedly sold assets of Chikumbirike’s
firm to himself after understating the value of the assets.
LSZ in a letter dated February 7 said Chirimuuta had embarrassed
the legal profession and violated sections of the Legal Practitioners
Act.
“That you failed to disclose that you sold to yourself some of
the firm’s assets. You participated in the sale of the firm’s assets and
counter offered highly unrealistic prices which resulted in the
overpricing of assets,” part of the letter read.
In its findings, the LSZ said evidence showed that Chirimuuta had “looted funds” from the estate.
“Council further noted you helped yourself to the funds of the
deceased before the Master approved them. The Master expressed outrage
to the extent of reporting the matter to the police. This is a prima
facie case of dishonourable and blameworthy misconduct. The profession
has been soiled and its name had been put into disrepute,” the LSZ
wrote.
The LSZ has since instructed its secretary Edward Mapara to
closely monitor the criminal case against Chirimuuta and also work with
the Master to ensure that the matter was dealt with before council could
make its final decision.
“Council has resolved that since the matter had been reported to
the police, the secretary is to closely monitor the criminal proceedings
of the case as the outcome is much awaited. Council further resolved
that the Committee’s recommended verdict be deferred pending
finalisation of the criminal case,” LSZ said in the letter. Newsday